"You shouldn't compromise your standards," he said, and even if he'd been teasing, joking with her a moment ago, his eyes canted down now to the bandages that showed just at the cuffs of his sleeves.
"Too many are," He finished, and the teasing was gone from his voice. He cleared his throat, and stood up with his book. "I should let you read," He said, looking back at her. He didn't want to leave her sitting there, honestly. But he also was feeling suddenly stiffled in the warm room.